Now is a great time to start thinking about your legumes bed. Peas can be sown every few weeks from March until June.

Seeds can either be sown directly outdoors or indoors for transplanting later, they prefer rich, moist soil. To encourage quick germination, soak the seeds overnight before sowing. The shoots will soon appear, and once they reach 15cm will require support. Twiggy sticks are ideal for supporting the new shoots. By using twine to tie the shoots they can be grown through the sticks and these will prevent the shoots from breaking and falling over.

The peas will need regular watering, especially in dry weather. The crop should be ready for the first harvest after 13 to 16 weeks and the peas should be harvested regularly to keep the plants producing regular fresh crops.